Digital Native

A person who grew up using digital technologies such as computers, the Internet, and mobile devices from an early age. Digital natives are presumed to have intuitive familiarity with digital interfaces and often learn new technologies through trial-and-error and exploration. The term contrasts with "digital immigrant," referring to those who adopted digital technologies later in life. In accessibility contexts, the distinction highlights different learning preferences and mental models: digital natives may expect hierarchical navigation, hidden menus, and gesture-based interactions, while digital immigrants may prefer interfaces where all functionality is visible simultaneously, similar to electro-mechanical devices.